Brown and Burns commit to Celtic

Celtic FC received a double boost today as they signed Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC goalkeeper Mark Brown, after first-team coach Tommy Burns had stood down as Scotland assistant manager to concentrate on his duties with the Premier League leaders.

International prospectsCeltic allowed back-up keeper David Marshall to join English club Norwich City FC on loan yesterday as they were confident of completing a deal for the 25-year-old Brown, a former Rangers FC and Motherwell FC player. Inverness manager Charlie Christie said of Brown: "Mark is one of the top goalkeepers in Scotland and I know he was determined to try and enhance his international career. I'm sure moving to Celtic will help him to do that." The custodian has accepted a three-and-a-half year contract and arrives for an undisclosed fee.

Celtic 'delight'Meanwhile Burns, 50, made his decision just days after the Scottish Football Association announced they had a shortlist of candidates to replace former manager Walter Smith following his move to Rangers. A statement said: "Celtic Football Club is delighted Tommy has decided to devote all his energy to Celtic in his positions as first-team coach and head of youth development." The Scottish champions have also sent 20-year-old midfielder Rocco Quinn on loan to Kilmarnock FC for the rest of the campaign.

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